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West End's great gift ideas

Mall in Dockyard has just about every item on one's Christmas list and some that are so unique they cannot be found elsewhere.

With gift ideas ranging from local watercolour paintings to Bermuda fragrance moisturising body lotions, its difficult to decide where to begin.

Since The Admiral's Locker is the first store one sees upon entering the main entrance of the mall, that spot is probably the best place to start ticking off names on the Christmas list.

Selling mainly items made in Bermuda, at the Admiral's Locker one can spend anywhere from $15 to more than a thousand dollars on gifts for the entire family and relatives and friends who live abroad.

For those on a tight budget, the $15 1994 Bermuda Water Colour Painting Calendar would be the ideal for loved ones overseas.

Framed maps of the Island and its treacherous reefs are available for those who don't mind spending a bit more.

There are also multi-colour porcelain jewellery boxes for under $30, decorative ornaments such as a pair of bronze cranes for $50 and brightly-coloured tapestries.

Those who are feeling extra generous this Christmas might want to surprise that special boy or girl on their list with a hand-painted $1,475 desk or a just as beautifully decorated $1,200 bureau of drawers.

The Admiralty Locker also has a small selection of African art pieces, including masks at $50.

Home-made treasures can also be found at local artist's Carole Holding's Print and Craft House.

In addition to Holding's pastel-framed water-colour paintings -- which range from $35 to more than $100, exquisitely-made Bermuda cedar boxes, genuine Bermuda Cedar hurricane lamps with shades, and Bermuda flower jewellery are also available here.

The cedar boxes, which were used in "days-gone-by'' to keep buttons and other valuable items, sell for less than $20.

The lamps are priced at $32.50 and the Bermuda flower jewellery which includes earrings in the shape of the Hibiscus, Frangipani, and the Orchid, are just $16 for small pairs and $20 for large.

Other gift ideas priced under $25 include handcrafted Bermuda Cedar dolls at $22, needle-point maps and scenes of Bermuda at $15, and $3 Bermuda Cedar sachets.

Signed-copies of Scott Stallard's "Images of Bermuda'' are also on hand.

For the perfume and cologne lover, the mall has Trimingham's Uncommon Scents store where the newest selection of fragrances and some old favourites are sold.

The newest scent of the season -- Perry Ellis' "360'' perfume, is available in the 50 millilitre and 100 millilitre bottle for $30 and $39, respectively.

Another new scent available is Valentino's "Vendetta'' which ranges from $37.50 to $54, depending on the size.

Vendetta for men sells for considerably less at $30 for the 50 millilitre bottle and $31 for the 100 millilitre bottle.

Also new for the man on your list is Calvin Klein's "Escape'' which is available in the 100 millilitre bottle for $26.50.

Frangipani Bermuda perfume is also popular this season and Uncommon Scents is selling it in a reasonably-priced gift set which includes perfume and spray for $31.

The new Bermuda fragrance of moisturising body lotion in 3.5 ounces is also available for $18 to $22.

The Clocktower also houses Trimingham's Bermuda Railway clothing store and smaller clothing boutiques including Turkish Delight and Island Fever which are bound to satisfy the choosy dresser on your list.

While the mall provides just about everything, one should not make the Christmas shopping trip to Dockyard without stopping in the Somerset Village.

There one can find more stores selling a wide range of clothing, shoes, and perfumes.

But if you're looking for holiday items for the home or stocking stuffers for the young and old, "Let's Party'' is a must.

The store, two door's down from the Country Squire and owned by Mrs. Lavinia Caesar, sells Christmas table centres she has made. They range from $7 to $40.

There are also hand-made Christmas wreaths from $7 to $20 and hand-made egg shell tree decorations.

For the kids, gifts range from Jurassic Dinosaurs colour poster pen sets for $7.50 to Beauty and the Beast, Alladin, and Barney video tapes for $24.99.

There are also adult gift sets for $10.50, including items ranging from a cheque book holder and cologne to toothbrushes and soap.

Mystic Impression scented candles, bath oils, and boxes of candy, are also available at "Let's Party'' for less than $10.

THE CLOCK TOWER at Dockyard has unique gifts forjust about everyone.